Chinese and Comparative Philosophy 中國哲學與比較哲學

Creativity and Diversity: 11th International Conference on Daoist Studies

Nanterre, Paris, France, May 17-20, 2017

For the last thirteen years, the international conference on Daoist Studies has been instrumental in enhancing the study, application, and awareness of Daoism throughout the world. The only major Daoist conference series, it follows a tradition that began in Boston (2003) and continued through Mt. Qingcheng (2004), Fraueninsel in Bavaria (2006), Hong Kong (2007), Mt. Wudang (2009), Los Angeles (2010), Mt. Nanyue (2011), Ammersee Lake near Munich (2012), Boston University (2014), and Miaoli, Taiwan (2016). Thanks to the generous hosting of the Unversity of Paris at Nanterre, the 11th conference will take place near metropolitan Paris in France.

This year’s theme is “Creativity and Diversity.” The focus is on the artistic and extraordinary expression of Daoist worldview and practice, both in history and today. Panels and presentations focus particularly on anthropological studies and expressions of Daoism in art, music, dance, ritual, theater, literature, film medicine, and more.

Chairs: Adeline Herrou, CNRS & Livia Kohn, Boston University

Keynote Speakers

Brigitte Baptendier: TITLE

Vincent Goossaert: TITLE

Format: After arrival in Paris on Tuesday, May 16, the conference begins at 9 am on Wednesday, May 17, with an opening ceremony and keynote speeches. It ends at 2 pm on Saturday, May 20, after a closing plenary session. There are twelve 1¾-hour sessions total (3 on Wednesday, 3 on Thursday, 4 on Friday, and 2 on Saturday), each consisting of parallel events: panels of academic presentations, forums of textual study, practice-focused workshops with minimal talking, and documentary videos or films. There will be a concert of Daoist music on Thursday afternoon and a banquet on evening.

Panels: Three 20-minute or four 16-minute individual paper presentations on the panel theme, followed by the discussant’s 5-minute comments, presenters’ responses, and open discussion (1¾ hours). In all cases, an effort will be made to join Chinese and Western representatives. PPTs should be bilingual. Some translation will be provided.

Forums: An opportunity to read a particular text with a group of learned scholars. Pre­senters post their text on the web a month ahead of time for participants to prepare.

Workshops: Emphasis on practice and experience (1¾ hours).The workshop room will not have tables, chairs, or PPT equipment. It is for moving or sitting practice exclusively.

Languages: Conference sessions will be in Chinese, English, and/or French.

Vendors: If you want to exhibit or sell books, CDs, or other materials at the conference, there is no extra charge, but you have to formally register and pay the conference fee in advance. Space is limited. Register early!

Scholarships: Some scholarships will be provided. Recipients will be exempted from paying the conference fee and receive US$ 200 toward room and board, as well as a share of travel expenses. Applicants should be within three years of completing the Ph.D. (before or after). To apply, please send registration information, plus status of Ph.D. and name of adviser, as well as draft abstract of paper to daoconf@gmail.com. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Warp, Weft, and Way is a group blog of Chinese and Comparative philosophy. Its primary purpose is to promote and stimulate discussion of Chinese philosophy and cross-tradition inquiry among scholars and students of philosophy, whatever their level of training. Contributors include active scholars with a variety of philosophical interests and approaches.

Contributors Stephen Angle and Manyul Im administer the blog behind the scenes. Any questions or requests regarding the blog and its operations may be directed to them. Contact information is available under their entries on the Contributor page. In order to maintain a dynamic conversational quality, discussion comments are not initially moderated. As a policy and a courtesy to other participants, comment or discussion authors must identify themselves with their first and last names. Exceptions will be made by request only to one of the administrators. If the blog administrators are unable to contact and verify identity, entries will be removed. While a SPAM robot stands guard to prevent obvious intrusions, the administrators reserve the right to judge the appropriateness of any posted comment.

Warp, Weft, and Way is an academic venture. Neither the administrators nor the contributors profit financially from its contents.

NOTE: Any quoted material from the blog that is published elsewhere must be properly cited, according to professional standards, for example as outlined here. Posts and comments are the intellectual property of their contributors.